The American South refers to the states of the southern USA, which includes Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and other states as far north as Virgina. The notion of the American South is firmly rooted in its slave history and it secession which precipitated the American Civil War (1861-65). The South lost the war with over 600,000 soldiers being killed on both sides.
The dominant values of the American South include the following elements:
Chivalry
Gentlemanly conduct
Reputation
Family heritage
The values of the South have historically privileged the white upper classes and marginalised poor white farmers and labourers and especially African Americans.
In the aftermath of the Civil War, the southern states were economically crippled. Angered by this and the emancipation of slaves, the South organised itself around racist Jim Crow laws, which systematically excluded black Americans from most aspects of social life. In some communities, even water fountains were racially segregated. Some angry whites formed terrorist organisations such as the Ku Klux Klan, which meted out brutal reprisals against anyone who dared challenge the system.
The segregation of the South ended in the 1960s insofar as it became illegal to racially segregate public institutions such as schools. Nevertheless, the social segregation of Black people still exists to some extent to this day.
Southern trees bear a strange fruit
Blood on the leaves and blood at the root
Black body swinging in the southern breeze
Strange fruit hanging from the poplar trees
Pastoral scene of the gallant south
The bulging eyes and the twisted mouth
Scent of magnolia sweet and fresh
And the sudden smell of burning flesh!
Here is a fruit for the crows to pluck
For the rain to gather, for the wind to suck
For the sun to rot, for a tree to drop
Here is a strange and bitter crop. -- Music and lyrics by Lewis Allan, copyright 1940
For an explanation of "Strange Fruit", click here .
The South in Popular Culture
Top Gear
One of the core concepts of the English course is representation. The clip below, from the British tv program Top Gear, is an excellent case study in representation. It reinforces the Southern stereotype through its selection of detail and use of editing techniques.
The Dukes of Hazzard
A classic tv representation of the South comes from the show, The Dukes of Hazzard. By viewing the opening credits, we can explore the various classic stereotypes of the South.
Gone With the Wind
Perhaps the most enduring and the most troubling representation of the South is Gone with the Wind. It provides a romantic vision of the South as the victims of Northern aggression. The Civil War is represented as the end of a beautiful era. Even the slaves are represented as happy with their lot.
Table of Contents
Background
The dominant values of the American South include the following elements:
The values of the South have historically privileged the white upper classes and marginalised poor white farmers and labourers and especially African Americans.
In the aftermath of the Civil War, the southern states were economically crippled. Angered by this and the emancipation of slaves, the South organised itself around racist Jim Crow laws, which systematically excluded black Americans from most aspects of social life. In some communities, even water fountains were racially segregated. Some angry whites formed terrorist organisations such as the Ku Klux Klan, which meted out brutal reprisals against anyone who dared challenge the system.
The segregation of the South ended in the 1960s insofar as it became illegal to racially segregate public institutions such as schools. Nevertheless, the social segregation of Black people still exists to some extent to this day.
For more information:
Southern United States
American Civil War
Racial Segregation in the United States
Jim Crow
The Death of Emmett Till
"Strange Fruit" by Billie Holiday
Southern trees bear a strange fruit
Blood on the leaves and blood at the root
Black body swinging in the southern breeze
Strange fruit hanging from the poplar trees
Pastoral scene of the gallant south
The bulging eyes and the twisted mouth
Scent of magnolia sweet and fresh
And the sudden smell of burning flesh!
Here is a fruit for the crows to pluck
For the rain to gather, for the wind to suck
For the sun to rot, for a tree to drop
Here is a strange and bitter crop.
-- Music and lyrics by Lewis Allan, copyright 1940
For an explanation of "Strange Fruit", click here .
The South in Popular Culture
Top Gear
One of the core concepts of the English course is representation. The clip below, from the British tv program Top Gear, is an excellent case study in representation. It reinforces the Southern stereotype through its selection of detail and use of editing techniques.The Dukes of Hazzard
A classic tv representation of the South comes from the show, The Dukes of Hazzard. By viewing the opening credits, we can explore the various classic stereotypes of the South.Gone With the Wind
Perhaps the most enduring and the most troubling representation of the South is Gone with the Wind. It provides a romantic vision of the South as the victims of Northern aggression. The Civil War is represented as the end of a beautiful era. Even the slaves are represented as happy with their lot.